How to dilute acrylic paint that is too thick or too hard

Reader Question: If the acrylic paint is too thick or too hard, how can it be diluted?

If you find that your acrylic paint is too thick or too hard to be workable, here are a few things you can try to loosen up the paint and improve its viscosity:

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Add water. Dip your paintbrush in a cup of clean water and then gently tap the water from your brush onto the paint. Carefully work the water into the paint using your brush, adding more water if necessary, until the paint becomes more liquid.

Mix the hard paint with a palette knife. Add a bit of water to the paint and then mix it together with a palette knife. You may have to use a grinding motion a few times for the water to mix in with the paint. You can also use a palette knife if you add an acrylic additive, as described above.